So, she sold her 3,500-square-foot Scottsdale Ranch home, pared down her possessions and bought a one-bedroom home at Maravilla.

Maravilla Scottsdale is one of three entrance-fee luxury retirement communities that have opened in the Northeast Valley in the past two years, providing a wide choice of senior-living options for wealthy retirees. The other rental retirement communities to open are Bellmont Village Scottsdale and Arte'.

The Senior Resource Group of San Diego said it spent in excess of $100 million building Maravilla. It includes the Ironwood Grill restaurant open 12 hours per day, two Internet lounges, a movie theater, spa, fitness center and indoor pool.

The Chicago-based Vi company opened the 270-unit Vi at Silverstone in September 2010 at Pinnacle Peak and Scottsdale roads on the site of the former Rawhide theme park.

Sagewood, with 278 residences, was developed in a joint venture between Life Care Services of Des Moines, Iowa, and the Westminster Funds. It opened two years ago at Tatum and Mayo boulevards.

Tom Mertensmeyer, president of Senior Financial Benefits, a Valley financial-services firm, said the three large entrance-fee retirement communities have offered incentives to buyers but have not generally cut prices despite the downturn in the real-estate market.

The three communities are not priced for the average retiree. A potential resident must have a net worth at least two times higher than the buy-in fee to qualify, he said.

Maravilla Scottsdale's entrance fee starts at nearly $240,000.

Maravilla Scottsdale has a continuum of care for its residents in 118 independent-living homes and 39 casitas. It also has 36 assisted-living residences and 24 units for Alzheimer's and dementia care.

Maravilla has partnered with Scottsdale Healthcare for an on-site clinic headed by Sherry Verges, a registered nurse.

Bob and Elaine Shower of Carefree, who plan to move into Maravilla in August, said they chose the community because of the assured care they would have if either one of them become ill.

"This is the last move we will make and we can stay here and be taken care of," said Bob, 74.

"It's not a bad way to live," said Elaine, 70, who has been in the Arabian horse business for decades.

"We're going to be pampered for the rest of our lives in a five-star resort," she said of Maravilla.

The Showers bought a 2,100-square-foot casita at Maravilla.

Residents have a choice of entrance-fee options and 10 choices for independent-living residences.

A one-bedroom, one-bath home of 900 square feet has a monthly fee of $1,900. A new resident could pay a minimum entrance fee of $238,700 with no refund to the estate.

A $341,000 entrance fee for the same unit would yield a 50 percentrefund to the estate or a 90 percent refund for a $481,000 entrance fee.

A two-bedroom, 21/2-bath casita of 2,050 square feet, with a den, has a monthly fee of $3,260. The entrance fee ranges from $533,400 for the zero-refund option to $1 million for the 90 percent refund.

Residents can get a full refund within the first six months if they choose to move out for any reason, said Tim Cowen, Maravilla's executive director.

Residents range in age from 62, the minimum age, to 88 with an average age of 73, he said.

"It's a real joy seeing relationships form in this lifestyle," said Cowen, adding that there are a lot of activities where residents can socialize.

About 85 percent of the residents are from the Scottsdale or Phoenix area.

The Senior Resource Group, which started in 1988, has seven communities in Arizona, including the Village at Ocotillo in Chandler, La Siena in Phoenix and Hawthorn Court in Ahwatukee.

Maravilla Scottsdale was designed by Allen+Phelp architects of Scottsdale and Cheryl Rowley Interiors, and was built by the Weitz Co.